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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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New Publication Highlights Local Indigenous Knowledge in Building Resilience in Coastal and Small Island Communities

page 1APN CAPaBLE project CBA2011-15NSY-Hiwasaki paved way in the development of an educational and awareness-raising publication titled “Local and indigenous knowledge for community resilience: Hydro-meteorological disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in coastal and small island communities.”

The publication, recently released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Jakarta (UNESCO – Jakarta), puts emphasis on the integration of scientific and local and indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. APN, through the CBA2011-15NSY-Hiwasaki project, contributed to the development of the report, especially for studies in coastal and small island communities in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

Section 1 introduces the background, basic concepts and methodology used in the UNESCO project on “Strengthening the Resilience of Coastal and Small Island Communities towards Hydro-meteorological Hazards and Climate Change Impacts” (StResCom). Section 2 consists of country-specific lessons and action points derived from activities implemented in the three countries, with a view to further promoting knowledge integration in the three countries in the final year of project implementation.

Sections 3 is a policy brief that focuses on steps taken to integrate local and indigenous knowledge with science and technology to increase community resilience. Section 4, a second policy brief, describes the process of incorporating local and indigenous knowledge and science in disaster and climate change education. Both policy briefs articulate specific policy actions and tools in promoting the use of local and indigenous knowledge with science for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

For a copy of the publication, visit: Local and indigenous knowledge for community resilience